Travel limiting device



June 1,' 1943 J. H. MICHAEL ET AL 2,320,741

TRAVEL LIMITING DEVICE Filed May 7, 1941 l Vg 5v5. 2 y

Patented June 1, L1943 TRAVEL LIMITING DEVICE John H. Michael, West Allis, andThomasG. A.

Sillers, Wauwatosa, Wis., assgnors to Allis,- Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware -Applicaton May 7, 1941, Serial No. 392,230

10 Claims.

This invention relates generally to travel limiting devices, and more particularly to devices for variably limiting the extent of the swinging movements of panel hdoors from and towards their closed and open positions.

In structures employing a plurality of hinged vertically mounted and .alined sections or panel doors, including such,.for example, as electric switchboards and metal enclosed switchgear, it is the usual practice to mount on such doors, for metering Aand control, certain equipment, including such, for example, as electric meters and control switches. In order to permit access to the rear of such structures the extent of the outward swinging movement of the doors must be unduly limited, or the doors must be appreciably spaced in order to prevent damage by collision between the protruding equipment mounted on an open and on a closed door, respectively. Clearly such structures are disadvantageous with respect to equipment mounted on the doors thereof, especially where available space is limited, as in certain industrial and.

tenance operations and the removal therethrough ofequipment positioned in the rear of such doors.

A further object of the present invention is .to provide improvedmeans for limiting the swingingmovements of doors outward from their supporting frames, or casings, a predetermined extent sucient to permitpbservation and inspection of equipment positioned in the rear of such doors, together with means for permitting further swinging movement -of such doors outward from their supportingv frames a predetermined-extent suilicient to permit maintenance operations and the removal therethrough of equipment positioned in the rear ofsuch'doors, and means for selectively preventing and for permitting the complete closing swinging move- ,'rnent of such doors.

A further object of the present invention is to provide improved means for selectively permitting the swinging movement of doors outward -from their supporting frames to a predetermined position and for permitting further Voutward swinging movement thereof to a second predetermined position, and for preventing closing movement thereof from the second predetermined position;

Aiurther object of the present invention is to provide improved means adjustable `to a plurality of alternate positions to selectively limit thereat the outward swinging movement` of a door to a plurality-of predetermined positions, and to selectively limit the closing vmovement of the doorY to a Vpredetermined position different from thev plurality of predetermined outward -swinging positions.

A further object of the Apresentinvention is to provide an improved toggle-like mechanism coupling a `door to a supporting frame structure insuch a manner as to control the extent of the swinging movement of the door Voutward from its supporting frame, together with anadjustable `stop means cooperating Awith the toggle mechanism to selectively vary the extent of such swinging movementl A further object Aof lthe `present invention is to provide an Aimproved toggle-like mechanism coupling a door 'to a supporting frame structure in such aA manner as to vcontrol the extent ot the outward and closing swinging movements of the door relative to itssupporting frame struc lture, together with adjustable stop means cooperating with the toggle-like mechanism to selectively limit the swinging movements` of the door to a plurality of different outward positions and to a predetermined closing position.

Objects and advantagesother than those above set forth will be apparent from the following description and claims when read in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating two embodiments ofthe invention.

Fig. 1 is a top view of portions of three adiavcent alined frame structures and three associated panel doors shown in their closed, intermediate and fullyopened positions, respectively, and illustrating door stop mechanism embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top view of portions of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front viewtof portions of the structure of Fig. l with portions of the door panel removed for the purpose of better illustration of the door stop mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line ZIV-IV, of Fig. 3 showing an end view of the door stop mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top view of portions of the structure of Fig. 1 showing one of the door panels and the associated stop mechanism in an intermediate stop position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged top view of portions of the structure of Fig. 1 showing one of the door panels and the associated stop mechanism in a fully opened stop position; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged top View of a modified embodiment of the invention wherein the stop means is `so positioned and dimensioned as to permit opening movement of the door to a greaterV extent than as illustrated in Fig. 6 and to prevent closing movement of the door from such greater open position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing' by characters of reference, the reference numerals I3, Illa and Ib indicate portions of three alined frame structures which may, for example, constitute metal box-like cubicle enclosures for electrical apparatus, such as metal clad draw-out type switchgear. The frame portions I0, IUa, and |011 are preferably arranged in abutting position as by being bolted together and they are severally provided with closure paneldoors I I, I Ia and I Ib of suitable material and dimensions supported on the respective frames, as by suitably positioned hinge pins I2, for swinging movement relative thereto.

As indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, there may be suitably mounted on the respective panel doors II, IIa and lI Ib equipment of various types, in-

cluding such, for example, as electric measuring instruments, control relays, etc., generally designated I3, I4. The front faces of such equipment may extend an appreciable distance outward from the front face of the doors, or they may be so mounted as to present their front faces substantially ush, in a practical sense, with the front face of the doors and to extend a considerable distance from the rear surface of the doors.

In order to prevent injury by collision, to the front surfaces of the doors, or injury to equipment mountedthereon, the doors II, I Ia., IIb, are, in the elected herein illustrated embodiments of the invention, severally pivotally linked to the respective frame portions IU, IUa and Ib by toggle arrangementsseverally consisting of the rods I5, I6 pivotally connected together by any suitable means, such as pivot pins I'I, and pivotally connected at their outer ends to the respective doors -1 II, I I a and IIb by means, such as pivot pins I3 severally axed to the doors I I, I Ia. and I Ib and extending-throughthe toggle rods I5, and to the frame portions I0, Illa and IIJb by means, such as pivot pins I9 severally extending through the.A

toggle bars I3 and through supporting bar-mem.- bers 20 severallyA Vrigidly affixed at a predetermined position to the respective frame portions I0, Illa. and Ib, 'by means such as screws 3|.

Also pivotally supported on each supporting bar xed to the stcpbar 33 and extending through the supporting bar member .23, to position to contact Vwiththe toggle rod I6 upon outward swinglng 'movement of the door II, or IIa., or IIb, as the case may be, to predetermined positions in del pendence upon the adjusted position of the stop bar 33. Thus with the toggle bars I5, I6 and the stop bars 33 connected as indicated in the drawing and with the contact surface 34 of the stop bar 33 adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, then upon outward movement of the door I I, for example, approximately ninety degrees from 'its closed position the toggle rod I 6 will make such contact with the surface 34 of the stop bar 33 as to prevent further outward movement of the door II, and thereby prevent contact of the door II with the front surface of the adjacent door IIa, or contact with such equipment as may be mounted on either door II 0r IIa. Alternately with the stop bar 33 associated with the door I I adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing and the adjacent door IIa swung to the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawing, the outward. swinging movement of the door II may be extended to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 6 of the drawing, at which position the toggle rod I6 will make such contact with the surface 35 of the stop bar 33 as will prevent further outward swinging movement of the door II. Such extendedA outward position of the door I I and the then position of the doorv I Ia will be such as to permit -maintenance operations on equipment positioned at the rear of the door II without possibility of injury, by collision, to the doorA II and door IIa, or injury to equipment mounted thereon.

To assure the prevention of injury by collision of the front surface ofthe door' IIa, or with equipment mounted thereon with the front surface of the door I I upon a reopening of the latter door after its closure following its movement to the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 6 of the drawing, it is necessary that the stop bar 33 for the door Il be restored to its normal position, as indicated in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 5 of the drawing. Such restoration may be accomplished by rotating, by movement of the knurled headed pin 36, the bar 33 substantially one hundred and eighty -degrees in a clockwise direction, andin order that such restoration be not neglected, means, such as astoppin 31, is affixed to and projects downward from the top surface of the door II at such position thereon as to contact with the stop bar 33 during closing movement of the door II when the bar 33 is adjusted to the position indicated in Fig. 6 ofthe drawing. Such contact of the stop pin 37 with the stop bar 33 .limits the closing movement of the door I I to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6, and constitutes a visual signal thatthe vstop bar 33 should be restored to its normal position, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawing.

In certain cases it is, at least, desirable that unintended reclosure of the doors from their fully opened position-as indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawingbe prevented, in order to assure thereby non-interference with maintenance and other operations with respect to equipment positioned in the rear of the doors. In such cases the positioning. and the contact surfaces of the stop bar 33 may be as indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawing, wherein a Contact surface 38-in lieu of the surface 35-is so formed and positioned as to permit movement of the` toggle mechanism beyond its dead center in counterclockwise direction. When so moved, the toggle link I6 will contact with surface 38 of the stop bar 33 and prevent thereby material clockwise closing movement of the door II, or IIa, or IIb, as the casemay be. To thereafter effect reclosure of the door it is necessary that the toggle mechanism be restored -beyond its dead center in the `clockwise direction andthe door swung towards its closed position.

position thereof'indicated in Fig. 'I of the drawing to its normal position, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawing.

While the .constructions disclosed herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be so limited, and that changes and modifications, including such as will variably limit the swinging movement of the doors to a greater plurality of outward positions, may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the annexed claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination with a frame structure, and a door swingable relative to said frame, of means for variably limiting the extent of swing of said door in one direction comprising an element connected to said frame and to said door, means adjustable to one position to stop said door at a predetermined position and adjustable to another position to stop said door at another predetermined position, `and means for controlling the extent of swing of said door in another direction comprising means cooperating with the second said means when adjusted to the said other position to stop said door at a third predetermined position.

2. The combination with a frame structure, and a door positioned on said frame and swingable relative thereto, of means for variably limiting the extent of opening movement of said door comprising a toggle mechanism having a pair of pivotally connected links respectively pivotally connected to said frame and to said door, and a means so positioned on said frame and so adjustable to a plurality of positions as to be engaged thereat by a link of said toggle mechanism during said opening movement of said door and as to retain its adjustment in all its positions regardless of the pressure exerted thereon by said link.

3. The combination with a frame structure,

and a door positioned on said frame for swingable movements relative thereto, of means for variably limiting the said movements comprising an element connected to said frame and to said door, means supported on said frame and adjustable to one position to be engaged by the rst said means during opening movement of said door to thereby limit such movement of the latter 4to a predetermined position and adjustable to another position to be engaged by the first said means during further opening movement of said door to thereby limit the opening movement of the latter to a further predetermined position, and means positioned on said door for engagement with the second said means, when the latter is adjusted to the said other position, during closing movement of said door, to thereby limit closing movement of said door to a predetermined position.

4, The combination with a frame, and a door swingable relative to said frame, of means for variably limiting the extent of swing of said door comprising a stop adjustable to two positions,

-- one of which limits the opening of said door to a predetermined position and the other of which limits the opening of said door to a greater predetermined open position and prevents closing movement from the said greater predetermined open position, and means cooperating with said stop, when adjusted to the said other position thereof, to limit the closing movement of said door to a predetermined position less than the complete closure of Vsaid door.

5. The combination of aframe member, a door member swingable relatively to saidframe, and a stop for said door comprising a toggle mechanism having a pair of pivotally connected 1inks respectively pivotally connected to said frame and to said door, and a cam pivotally mounted on one oi said members for adjustment relatively thereto and so positioned as to engage one of said 1inks to stop said door when said door reaches a position determined by the adjustment of said cam.

6. The combination of a frame member, a door member swingable relatively to'said frame,. and stop means for said door comprising a toggle mechanism having a pair of pivotally connected links respectively pivotally connected to said frame and to said door, and a cam pivotally mounted on one of said members for adjustment relatively thereto and so positioned as to engage one of said links to stop said door when said door reaches a predetermined position which is variable in dependence upon the adjustment of said cam, said cam being adjustable in such manner as to engage said one of said links only after passage of said toggle mechanism through a dead center to prevent reclosure of said door.

7. The combination of a frame member, a door member swingable relatively to said frame, and stop means for said door comprising a toggle mechanism having a pair of pivotally connected links respectively pivotally connected to said frame and to said door, a cam pivotally mounted on one of said members for adjustment relatively thereto 'and so positioned as to engage one of said links to stop said door when said door V reaches a predetermined position which is variable in dependence upon the adjustment of said cam, and a stop mounted on the other one of said members and so positioned as to engage said cam to stop said door when said cam is given a predetermined adjustment and said door is swung away from said predetermined position into another predetermined position.

8. The combination of a frame structure, a door swingable relatively to said frame structure, and stop means for said door comprising elements so mounted on said frame structure and on said door as to leave said door free to swing back and forth between two predetermined positions and to stop said door at said positions by engagement of one of said elements with another one of said elements, andmeans for adjusting said one of said elements to leave said door free toswing only between two other predetermined positions.

9. The -combination of a frame structure, a door swingable relatively to said frame structure, and stop means for said door comprising elements so mounted on said frame structure and on said door as to leave said door free to swing back and forth between two predetermined open positions and to stop said door at said positions by engagement of one of said elements with another o'ne of said elements, and means for adjusting said one of said elements to leave said door free to swing only between closed position and a position intermediate said predetermined open positions. A i

V10. The-combination of a frame structure, a door swingable relatively to said frame structure,'and stop means for said door comprising elements so mounted on said frame structure and on said door as to leave saiddoor free to swing back and forth between closed position and a predetermined intermediate open position and to stop said door 'at said intermediate open position by engagement of one of said elements with another one of said elements, and means for adjusting said one'of said elements to limit the opening of said door to an extreme open position in such manner as to prevent closing movement of said door from said extreme open position.

JOHN H. MICHAEL.

THOMAS G. A. SILLERS. 

